Germany

Nestled in the heart of Europe and brimming with the sort of picturesque cobblestoned streets, dark, looming forests, and stunning medieval castles that could have been plucked from a fairytale, Germany has no shortage of breathtaking sights to see and rich traditions to explore. While the Deutschland achieved nationhood later on than most of its European neighbors, it has risen rapidly within the past few decades to become one of the most technologically and economically advanced countries in the world — today, it boasts the biggest population in the European Union and the largest economy in all of Europe. At the same time, Germany’s complex history — one shaped by the atrocity of the Holocaust, wars, and reconstruction — continue to shape daily life and inform the present. A Little History The Germany we know today was introduced to the world stage relatively recently, in 1871. Then, it was known as the German Empire, a broad state that unified an array of autonomous German-speaking kingdoms, cities, and principalities. Since then, Germany has been rocked by World War I and II, financial and political strife, and the Cold War, while in recent years a robust economic rebound has skyrocketed the country to claim the fifth largest economy in the world. Teachers planning a move to Germany should be aware of the country’s complex history and at times its bloody past, from the crimes of the Holocaust and genocide of Jews, Roma people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized gr…

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications for foreign English teachers. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Germany. Education A bachelor’s degree is highly preferred by the vast majority of schools in Germany, but it is not always required. ITA alumni Gabriella B. taught in Bremerhaven without a bachelor’s degree, and offers advice below to any other teachers who might be in a similar spot: “Not having a degree can be a turn-off for employers, and I did not have a lot of useful work experience other than volunteering with kids and teaching a bit as an after-school tutor. Nonetheless, I took the opportunity as a risk to see what would happen. I got a lot of support through the process which made my concerns fade pretty quickly. Although my concerns in some cases were true, it did not hold me back from reaching the end goal of teaching abroad.” Citizenship While many employers prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, being a citizen of one of these countries is not a requirement. However, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.…

Germany presents a strong market for English teachers. With a culture that champions hard work and industry, it’s no surprise that the country is home to the largest national economy in Europe, and many Germans seek out additional corporate training to further their careers. As a result, there’s a particular need for business English instructors in Germany, though there are still ample opportunities to find work teaching younger learners as well. Private Language Schools In Germany, most TEFL-certified English teachers work on a freelance basis as lead teachers for private language schools. These private language schools cater to a wide array of students, from young children to teenagers to adults, and the majority of your coworkers will be other foreign English speakers. Positions in private language schools can be found throughout Germany, though some cities and regions will have a higher need for teachers who can work with a particular age group. “For teaching Business English, you’ll find jobs throughout the country, but the demand is higher in places like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg,” says ITA alumni Tamie A. , founder of Speakeasy Language Academy in Hamburg. “Germany is home to many international companies as well as large German corporations such as Volkswagen Group, Siemens, and Daimler AG, which find English training essential for their team.” On the other hand, teachers looking to work with younger learners might consider honing in on different cities. “If you…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Germany, and we have them all outlined here below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Germany Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Important Notes: The freelance visa process is currently taking 4-6 months on average, so it’s critical to factor this into your planning timeline and budget. Housing is currently in short supply in most cities in Germany, so it’s essential to account for this when planning your relocation timeline. 🏡 Start your search early to secure accommodations! Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section ! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draf…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Germany and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, medical insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these items. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Germany is 1,200 – 2,250 USD per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like a job in a rural location with low cost of living or longer than average working hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Germany can be a part-time or full-time gig depending on how many hours you wish to pursue as a freelancer, how many hours your school might require of its teachers, or if you choose to work for more than one school (which is common in Germany). “As a freelance teacher, my hours per week can vary based on the needs of the school,” explains Molly M …

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork, but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. The first step? Understanding what to expect. “The majority of expats coming to Germany to teach English as a foreign language apply for a freelance permit,” explains Tamie Arietta , ITA alumni and founder of Speakeasy Language Academy and Expat Launcher . “Work sponsorship permits can be few and far between in this field and slightly harder to get approved by the Foreigner’s Office. Knowing what type of permit you would like to apply for will dictate the kind of work you are allowed to do. For example, under a freelance permit, you can teach at multiple language schools and teach privately, but under a work sponsorship, the norm would be working for one school and side work permitted.” Sounds straightforward enough? Let’s get started! Visa Types Freelance Visa What is it? This is the most common visa type for teachers relocating to Germany to teach English. This visa functions as a freelance license, allowing you to legally work at any school or with any employer in Germany. It is not sponsored by or tied to a specific employer. How do you get one? You can apply for and obtain this visa on your own. However, for peace of mind and assistance with navigating the red tape associated with applying for a visa in Germany, you can also work with an approved visa agency. More details on that below. H…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home in Germany? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. If you’re working on a Freelance Visa in Germany, you’ll need to acquire health insurance on your own from a private or public provider. If you’re not a freelancer, but working with a German employer who provides benefits, your employer will likely pay for half of your public provider insurance costs, and you will be responsible for covering the remaining half. Learn more here , and check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provider can be daunting for some freelancers. One easy hack? Use the ITA…

You have finally made it to the end of the Germany section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous sections laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Germany. This timeline is not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Germany to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Important Note: The freelance visa process is currently taking 4-6 months on average, so it’s critical to factor this into your planning timeline. Finding a Job on the Ground Please keep in mind that the main hiring seasons for private language schools in Germany are September and January. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. Note that finding jobs in Germany in advance is extremely uncommon. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences ___ Ensure your passport is valid for the entire time you plan to be in Germany 3 months before departure: Prepare visa documents ___ Finalize your international resume and cover letter ___ Ask for reference letters ___ Ensure you have your TEFL certificate, copies of degrees, bank statements or proof of subsistence, portfolio of pre…

I decided to teach in Berlin because I'm a history nerd, and there's so much history to learn about in this city. I also love the high level of diversity and a plethora of activities to do. I work for Lingua Franca, a company that specializes in business English training. My students are all adult professionals working in their fields. Tina A. Berlin, Germany I could not imagine a better base to travel from than Frankfurt! It is incredibly close to Bavaria, and has many nearby cities worth checking out. There are many ways to travel cheaply, from buses to shared tickets for the whole country (up to 5 people). Besides that, it is very possible to fly to any major European city (i.e. the ones worth visiting). During my study abroad, I traveled cheaply to many different cities. I generally used a bus. I was able to do a 4-day Prague trip for about 150 euros total (including everything - food, travel, accommodations, beer, other expenses). If you can't tell from what I've already described, I love Frankfurt. I have seen many cities around the world, but nothing feels more like home to me than Frankfurt. It is one of the most international cities in all of Germany. It is a great place to be for people who speak no German, assuming they want to live in Germany. Michael M. Frankfurt, Germany